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Epidemiology

The age distribution for Kienbock disease depends on gender. The condition is most common within the dominant wrist of young adult men where it appears to be due to repeated loading of the lunate. In women, Kienböck disease typically occurs in middle age and is equally divided between the dominant and non-dominant wrist 1.

Associations

There is a significant association between negative ulnar variance and Kienbock disease, although the majority of people with negative ulnar variance do not have the condition. A causal association is difficult to prove, however the effectiveness of decompressive procedures such as radial shortening or ulnar lengthening in relieving pain and preventing further collapse of the lunate is supportive 2. Overall, negative ulnar variance is present as a predisposing factor in around 75% of cases of Kienbock disease.

Pathology

The pathologic changes are equivalent to those of osteonecrosis of other bones. There is disruption of critical blood supply leading to bone infarction, central necrosis and surrounding hyperemia. Microfractures ensue resulting in flattening and deformity of the bone surface.

The vascular supply of the lunate greatly contributes to formation of Kienbock disease. In 70% of patients, multiple vessels supply both volarly and dorsally. On the volar surface, these include branches from the anterior interosseous artery in 70% and a branch of the palmar intercarpal arch in 70% of patients. On the dorsal surface, dorsal perforating branches of the anterior interosseous artery are seen in 86% of patients and dorsal branch from the dorsal intercarpal arch in 50% of patients 3.

In the remaining 30%, only a single vessel is present volarly and dorsally, which predisposes to osteonecrosis of the lunate 1.

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

Sclerosis and flattening of the lunate. When flattening is marked there is rotation of the scaphoid which further adds to the stress on the lunate. Fragmentation of the lunate and secondary degenerative disease may develop later.

MRI

Is the most sensitive and specific test and may detect very early disease. Pattern of lunate bone signal change allows the condition to be differentiated from ulnar impaction syndrome: the major differential diagnosis. Sclerosis (low T1 and T2) is usually seen centrally and within the radial aspect of the lunate. The sclerosis can be diffuse. Bone edema (high T2, intermediate T1) may be seen in the acute phase, particularly on the radial side.

Nuclear medicine

A negative bone scan can be useful to exclude the disease however a positive scan is not specific enough for the diagnosis.

Treatment and prognosis

Conservative management with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and immobilization in mild cases is often very effective. Radial shortening to correct negative ulnar variance is the most common surgical therapy with good results. Other operative procedures include ulnar lengthening, revascularization, lunate excision with or without prosthetic replacement and inter-carpal fusion. Proximal row carpectomy is used as a salvage procedure in refractory cases 1.

History and etymology

The condition is named after Austrian radiologist Robert Kienböck (1871-1953), who described the condition in 1910 4.